Cambria County Recorder of Deeds: Search & Office
Use the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds when you need recorded land records such as deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, releases, assignments, certain permits, military discharges, copy requests or recording instructions. The office is on the 1st floor of the Cambria County Courthouse at 200 South Center Street in Ebensburg.
For online searching, Cambria County uses a current Tyler records system for documents back to 1986 and a separate SearchIQS historical index for 1924–1985. Documents before 1924 are not online through the county’s current notice and must be researched in the Recorder’s office.
What Does the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Handle?
The Cambria County Recorder of Deeds records and preserves real-estate instruments for Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Use this office for recorded deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, easements, rights-of-way, assignments, certain permit recordings, certified copies, military discharge recordings and land-record research.
Land Records and Deed Copies
Search online records, request copies, or visit the courthouse when you need deeds, mortgages, releases, rights-of-way, easements or older land records not available online.
Best first step: decide whether the record is 1986-current, 1924–1985, or before 1924.
Recording Documents
The office records properly executed real estate documents, collects recording fees, and collects Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax where applicable.
Important: many real-estate documents need UPI approval before recording.
Courthouse Office
The Recorder is located on the 1st floor of the Cambria County Courthouse, 200 South Center St., Ebensburg, PA 15931.
Recording cutoff: go before 3:30 PM if you are presenting a document for recording.
How to Search Cambria County Deed Records Online
Cambria County uses two different online routes depending on the recording period. Use the current Tyler search for 1986-current records and the historical SearchIQS route for 1924–1985. If the document is older than 1924, plan for in-office research.
Choose a search need above, then use the official route shown here.
| Record Period / Task | Official Route | What to Try First | If No Result Appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 to current | Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Tyler Online Search | Accept the disclaimer, then search using the names and document details you already have. | Try spelling variations, alternate names, business names, former owner names and broader date ranges. |
| 1924 to 1985 | Cambria County SearchIQS Historical Index | Search the historical index when the deed book or older family/property transfer falls before the Tyler coverage period. | Use grantor/grantee spelling variations and narrow by date only after you see possible matches. |
| Before 1924 | Recorder of Deeds Office in Ebensburg | Call or visit the office. Bring the owner names, municipality, approximate year and any book/page reference. | Ask staff whether an in-office index, older deed book, map resource or copy request is the right next step. |
| Document copy | Recorder phone, mail request or in-office copy request | Gather the instrument number, book/page, owner names or recording date before calling. | Call (814) 472-1473 and ask for the copy price and payment instructions before mailing a request. |
| Recording a document | Recorder of Deeds + UPI review where required | Confirm fees, UPI approval and Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax requirements before submitting. | Email UPI pre-approval to upicambria@co.cambria.pa.us if your document needs UPI review. |
How to Search Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Records
Use this workflow before paying for prints or assuming a record is missing. It separates online index searching from official document interpretation.
Identify the approximate recording period
If the record is from 1986 to current, start with Tyler. If the record is from 1924 to 1985, use SearchIQS. If the record is older than 1924, the county states those records are only available in the office.
Search by all likely names
Try grantor and grantee names, last-name variations, initials, business names, former owners and alternate spellings. For married or inherited property, search prior surnames and estate-related names when relevant.
Use document clues to narrow the result
Compare recording date, instrument number, book/page, property location, municipality and document type. Do not rely only on one matching name because the index is not the legal document itself.
Open or request the recorded image
Cambria County says documents can be viewed online without subscription fees, but print/download charges may apply. If you need an official certified copy, contact the Recorder before paying for a regular online print.
Confirm with the correct office when the result affects a legal or tax decision
Use the Recorder for recorded documents, Tax Assessment for parcel/UPI/valuation questions, and a qualified Pennsylvania professional for title, deed drafting, estate transfer or legal interpretation.
Recording a Deed, Mortgage or Real Estate Document in Cambria County
Before submitting a deed, mortgage, easement or similar real-estate document, check three things: whether the document is recordable, whether it needs UPI approval, and whether Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax or a Statement of Value applies.
UPI Approval Comes First
Cambria County states that deeds, decrees of distribution, awards of real estate, mortgages, rights-of-way, easements, leases, condemnations, declarations of taking, assignments of leases and rents, sewage permits, water permits, highway occupancy permits, adverse possession statements and boundary line agreements must have UPI approval before recording.
Watch the 1–2 PM UPI Pause
The county notice says UPI approval is not available from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. If you are recording the same day, arrive early enough to resolve UPI questions before the 3:30 PM recording cutoff.
Use UPI Pre-Approval
The Recorder page urges users to have UPI documents pre-approved by emailing the document to upicambria@co.cambria.pa.us. This is especially useful before mailing or eRecording a document.
| Recording Topic | Cambria-Specific Detail | Practical Step |
|---|---|---|
| Recording hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. | Do not arrive near closing with a deed that still needs UPI review or fee calculation. |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. | Use the last half hour for questions/copy requests, not last-minute recording. |
| Payments | County FAQ says cash or checks are accepted; checks should be payable to “Recorder of Deeds.” | Call first for the exact recording fee, copy price or certification charge. |
| Print/download charge | County page says online documents have no subscription fee, with a $0.50 per page print/download charge. | View first, then download only the pages you need. |
| Act 152 fee | County notice says a $15 fee is charged on all deeds and mortgages under Act 152 of 2016. | Do not use an old fee total from a prior recording. |
| December 1, 2025 fee change | County notice says an additional $1.00 applies to many listed documents effective December 1, 2025. | Open the current fee schedule or call the Recorder before submitting. |
| Realty Transfer Tax | Pennsylvania state realty transfer tax is generally 1% of the value of real estate transferred, and recorders collect state tax often with local transfer tax. | Ask the Recorder how checks should be separated for recording fees and transfer taxes. |
| Statement of Value | REV-183 may be needed when consideration is not fully stated, the transfer is without consideration or by gift, or a transfer-tax exemption is claimed. | Complete each section and attach required supporting documents before presenting the deed. |
How to Prepare a Cambria County Deed or Mortgage for Recording
This is a practical readiness checklist, not legal advice. A document can still be rejected if it lacks required signatures, acknowledgments, attachments, UPI approval, payment or transfer-tax documentation.
Confirm the document belongs with the Recorder
Deeds, mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, releases, assignments and other land instruments are usually Recorder matters. Court filings, estate files and tax assessment disputes go to different offices.
Check whether UPI approval is required
Many Cambria real-estate instruments must have UPI approval by the Tax Assessment Office before recording. Use email pre-approval if you are unsure.
Calculate recording fees and transfer taxes
Open the county fee schedule or call the Recorder for a quote. Include page count, names, descriptions, UPI, Act 152, recent fee changes and Pennsylvania/local realty transfer tax where applicable.
Attach REV-183 when needed
Pennsylvania’s Statement of Value form asks for transfer data, real estate location, valuation data, exemption data and correspondent information. The form warns that failure to complete it properly or attach required documentation may result in refusal to record the deed.
Submit before the recording cutoff
Recording hours end at 3:30 PM. If your document is complex, has transfer-tax questions or still needs UPI review, do not wait until the end of the day.
Keep the recorded instrument details
The county FAQ says documents are scanned and handed back immediately after recording. Save the instrument number, book/page if assigned, recording date and receipt for future sale, refinance, estate or tax assessment questions.
Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Phone and Map
The Recorder of Deeds is located inside the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg. The public office hours and recording hours are not the same, so plan your visit based on the task.
Recorder of Deeds Office
Location:
Cambria County Courthouse, 1st Floor
200 South Center St.
Ebensburg, PA 15931
Phone: (814) 472-1473
Fax: (814) 472-1412
Email: mkimla@co.cambria.pa.us
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Recording hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
Open Map ↗Recorder of Deeds vs Assessment Office vs Register of Wills
Cambria County has several offices at or connected to the courthouse. The fastest route depends on the record type and the problem you are trying to solve.
| Office | Use This Office For | Do Not Use It For | Local Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds | Deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, assignments, recorded land records, certified copies and military discharge recording/copies. | Property valuation appeals, tax bills, deed drafting or legal title opinions. | Use Tyler for 1986-current and SearchIQS for 1924–1985 before calling for copies. |
| Tax Assessment Office | Property characteristics, ownership records for tax assessment, valuation records, Homestead/Farmstead, Clean and Green, assessment appeals and UPI approval. | Recording the final deed or mortgage into land records. | Cambria County notes that the UPI staff person is located in the Recorder’s office, but UPI is still tied to Tax Assessment review. |
| Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court | Wills after death, estates, probate records, marriage records and Orphans’ Court matters. | Ordinary deed searches, mortgages or land-record recordings. | If an estate deed is involved, you may need both estate-file information and Recorder recording steps. |
| Tax Claim / Treasurer | Tax claim matters, delinquent taxes, current tax payment paths or tax-sale questions depending on the issue. | Changing the recorded deed or interpreting title. | After recording, check whether tax records update separately from the recorded instrument. |
Official Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Links
Use these official or government sources before relying on a paid third-party document site. Each link includes exactly what to do after opening it.
Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Office
Official county page for office address, hours, online search links, UPI notices, eRecording providers, copy requests and recording notices.
- Scroll to the Notices section first.
- Check UPI, fee-change and eRecording notices before preparing a document.
- Use the Tyler link for 1986-current records and the IQS link for 1924–1985 records.
- Verify phone, email, office hours and recording hours before visiting.
Tyler Online Search — 1986 to Current
Official current Cambria County Recorder of Deeds online record search route.
- Read the disclaimer before accepting.
- Search all spelling variations of names if the first search fails.
- Compare the result by recording date, document type, parties and instrument details.
- Remember that the index is a guide; open the document image or request a certified copy when accuracy matters.
SearchIQS Historical Index — 1924 to 1985
Historical Cambria County land-record index route linked by the Recorder’s official page.
- Choose guest search if available.
- Use the approximate year range before narrowing too tightly.
- Try grantor and grantee names, initials and alternate spellings.
- If the record predates 1924, contact the Recorder’s office for in-office records.
Cambria County Tax Assessment Office
Official office for assessment records, valuation, Homestead/Farmstead, Clean and Green, appeals and UPI-related property information.
- Use this page when a parcel number, assessment record or UPI issue blocks recording.
- Open the Uniform Parcel Identifier information if your document needs UPI review.
- Do not use the Assessment Office to obtain certified copies of recorded deeds.
- For assessment appeals, follow the county’s original signed application instructions.
Pennsylvania DOR — Realty Transfer Tax
Official state explanation of Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax, state rate and recorder collection role.
- Confirm whether the transfer is generally taxable or potentially exempt.
- Review the state 1% tax explanation and local transfer-tax warning.
- Ask the Recorder how payment should be separated for fees and transfer taxes.
- Use professional help if the transaction involves trusts, estates, family transfers or exemptions.
REV-183 Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value
Official Pennsylvania form used in certain deed transfers, especially when consideration is not fully stated, the deed is a gift/no-consideration transfer, or an exemption is claimed.
- Complete transfer data, real estate location and valuation data.
- Mark the correct exemption category only when it truly applies.
- Attach supporting documentation when the instructions require it.
- File with the Recorder of Deeds when the form is required for the recording.
Common Cambria County Recorder of Deeds Mistakes
Mistakes That Delay Search or Recording
- Using the Tyler current search for a 1940s deed instead of the historical index.
- Assuming pre-1924 records are online when the county says they are only available in the office.
- Arriving after 3:30 PM with a document to record.
- Ignoring the 1:00 PM–2:00 PM UPI approval pause.
- Mailing a deed without confirming UPI, transfer tax, REV-183 and check instructions.
- Treating an online index match as a full legal title opinion.
Better Cambria Workflow
- Choose the correct online system by recording year.
- Search spelling variations and former owner names.
- Use UPI pre-approval before recording complex documents.
- Call the Recorder for fee and copy quotes before mailing payment.
- Keep the instrument number, recording date and receipt after recording.
- Use the Assessment Office only for assessment, parcel and UPI issues.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a recent deed, mortgage or satisfaction. | Open Tyler and search 1986-current records using all name variations. | Cambria County Tyler Online Search |
| You need a mid-1900s deed or older family property transfer. | Use SearchIQS for 1924–1985. For older records, contact or visit the Recorder. | SearchIQS Historical Index / Recorder Office |
| You need to record a deed, mortgage or easement. | Confirm UPI, fee schedule, transfer tax, REV-183 and recording-hour requirements before submitting. | Recorder of Deeds + UPI review |
| The deed is recorded but the tax assessment owner looks wrong. | Contact Tax Assessment after confirming the recorded instrument information. | Cambria County Tax Assessment Office |
| The property passed through an estate. | Check whether you need estate-file information, a personal representative deed, a decree, or legal help before recording. | Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans’ Court + Recorder |
| You need legal title certainty. | Do not rely only on an online index. Use a title company, attorney or settlement professional. | Qualified Pennsylvania professional |
Cambria County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds office?
The Recorder of Deeds is located on the 1st floor of the Cambria County Courthouse at 200 South Center St., Ebensburg, PA 15931. The office phone number is (814) 472-1473.
What are the Recorder of Deeds office hours and recording hours?
The office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Recording hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, so recording customers should not wait until the end of the day.
How far back do Cambria County deed records go?
The county FAQ says Recorder records date back to 1804. Online coverage is split: Tyler covers 1986 to current, SearchIQS covers 1924 to 1986, and documents before 1924 are only available in the office.
Is there a subscription fee to search Cambria County deed records online?
The county states that documents are available online with no subscription fees. A print or download charge of $0.50 per page applies. Subscriptions are available for discounted printing and escrow account setup.
What is UPI approval in Cambria County recording?
UPI means Uniform Parcel Identifier review. Cambria County requires UPI approval before recording many real-estate documents, including deeds, mortgages, easements, leases, condemnations, assignments of leases and rents, certain permits, adverse-possession statements and boundary-line agreements.
Is UPI approval available all day?
No. Cambria County’s Recorder notice says UPI approval is not available from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The county urges users to pre-approve UPI documents by emailing upicambria@co.cambria.pa.us.
Does Cambria County accept eRecording?
Yes. The Recorder page says Cambria County accepts eRecording of certain document types through SimpliFile, CSC Global, Indecomm Global Services and ePN. Submitters should confirm eligible document types and fees with their eRecording provider and the Recorder.
How do I pay recording or copy fees?
The county FAQ says the Recorder accepts cash or checks, and checks should be made payable to “Recorder of Deeds.” Call ahead because the office will quote recording fees or copy prices based on the document and request.
Does the Recorder keep my original document after recording?
The county FAQ says the office scans documents to be recorded and hands them back immediately after recording. Keep the recorded instrument information, receipt and returned document for your records.
Can the Recorder of Deeds give legal advice or perform a title search?
No. The Recorder can provide access to recorded documents, copies, certifications and recording requirements. For legal advice, deed drafting, title opinions, estate transfers, trust issues or title insurance questions, use a qualified Pennsylvania attorney, title company or settlement professional.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Cambria County Government, the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds, the Cambria County Tax Assessment Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, any court, any title company or any law firm.
Recorded land records, recording acceptance, copy fees, UPI approval, eRecording eligibility, transfer-tax requirements and certified copies are controlled by the responsible official offices. Always verify current requirements with the Cambria County Recorder of Deeds before recording or relying on a document.
Public property records should be used for property, recording, ownership-reference and public-record purposes only. Do not use property-owner information from this page or linked databases for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.